For his first album Fantasia, Yuma Abe collaborated with his most trusted musician peers, including Devendra Banhart on guitar, and his mentor Haruomi Hosono, who handled mixing on several songs.

Two years later, as a result of many conversations with himself and his close friends, Yuma is back with Surprisingly Alright, a 12” EP that deftly captures the warm and springy air that permeated throughout the sessions for these five brand new recordings.

The A-side contains “Go Back,” “Arayotto,” and “Domo Konnichiwa,” whose effervescence and buoyancy are emphasized by the unique interplay of the chorus and the vocals, flowing out like a voice from within the belly of a carefree vagabond. The B-side contains “Dakishimete,” which unfolds into a mid-section with a distinctive ‘60s-’70s Wamono-style groove, and “Igaito Nanka Heiki”, which translates to “Surprisingly Alright”—essentially the title track—in which Yuma joyfully vows to ‘死んでもまだ踊る’ - “keep dancing even when I’m dead.”

Side A
1. Go Back
2. Ara Yotto
3. Domo Konnichiwa

Side B
1. Dakishimete
2. Igaito Nanka Heiki